Oral Epics from Africa written by John William Johnson

Synopsis:

"The editors... must be congratulated... Long live the African storytellers!"  Africa Today

"It is difficult to imagine a more practical introduction to contemporary African epic than this anthology... no other single volume comprehends the full scope of African epic (as opposed to praise poetry) the way this one does.... The stories are engaging, and the free-verse translations are surprisingly readable.... Recommended for all academic collections."  Choice

Western culture traces its literary heritage to such well-known epics as the Iliad and the Odyssey and Gilgamesh. But it is only recently that scholars have turned their attention toward capturing the rich oral tradition that is still alive in Africa today. These 25 selections introduce English-speaking readers to the extensive epic traditions in Africa.

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Title:Oral Epics from AfricaAuthor:John William JohnsonPublisher:Indiana University PressDate Published: March 2008Edition:1st EditionISBN-13:9780253211101ISBN-10: 0253211107

Table of Contents:

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction: The Oral Epic in Africa

Soninke Epics

3

1

The Epic of Wagadu

4

Mande Epics

8

2

The Epic of Son-Jara (Maninka)

11

3

The Epic of Fa-Jigi (Wasulunka)

23

4

The Epic of Bamana Segu (Bamana)

34

5

The Epic of Sonsan of Kaarta (Bamana)

50

6

The Epic of Almami Samori Toure (Bamana)

68

7

The Epic of Musadu (Maninka)

80

8

The Epic of Kelefa Saane (Mandinka)

92

9

The Epic of Kambili (Wasulunka)

100

10

The Epic of Sara (Maninka)

114

Songhay and Zarma Epics

124

11

The Epic of Askia Mohammed

126

12

The Epic of Mali Bero

133

13

The Epic of Issa Korombe

140

Fulbe Epics

147

14

The Epic of Hambodedio and Saigalare

149

15

The Epic of Silamaka and Poullori

162

16

The Epic of Silamaka and Hambodedio

172

17

The Epic of Samba Gueladio Diegui

185

Wolof Epics

200

18

The Epic of Njaajaan Njaay

201

19

The Epic of Lat Dior

211

Egyptian Epics

227

20

The Epic of the Bani Hilal: The Birth of the Horo Abu Zayd. I. (Northern Egypt)